April 3 - 14 | During 9 & 11 am Worship
We will receive a special offering for One Great Hour of Sharing which supports hunger, poverty, and disaster assistance programs of the PCUSA. This is one of two special denomination-wide offerings we collect a year to make a significant impact in our world.
Monthly Community First Gathering
WHPC has a long history of supporting MLF with transitioning people from homelessness to being part of a community that includes housing, dignified income, physical and mental well being, and supportive relationships.
We are continuing to do this with monthly gatherings at King Park area of Community First. These gatherings focus on hanging out with neighbors and sharing a meal. Think of it as a cul-de-sac party/cookout in your neighborhood. Grilling, games & conversations … This is a family friendly event that will bless all those that participate.
These gatherings take place on the 3rd Saturday of every month at Community First VIllage in East Austin.
Volunteer with The God of Hope Prison Ministries
1. Teaching Classes. Using God of Hope approved curricula, volunteers teach the Bible, spiritual habits, and life skills. Classes are held in the dorms every weekday morning and afternoon, and are attended by all participants.
2. Leading a Discipleship Group. Meetings are held once a week, and are led by a volunteer. The purpose of Discipleship Groups is to provide an atmosphere of trust and safety where individuals come to know Christ and each other through sharing and discussion of life issues.
3. Life Coaching offers a one-on-one relationship where a volunteer walks through life with an offender examining issues through use of the Word, praying for offender concerns, and helping the offender prepare for release.
For further information or to volunteer to serve, please contact Chris Knepp, WHPC’s liaison to the God of Hope Ministries, at 512-809-0957 or at c.ardenknepp@gmail.com
More information about the ministry, as well as directions for applying to serve as a volunteer, can be found on the God of Hope website: https://www.thegodofhope.org/
Volunteer to Assist Trainers During Dementia Live Demonstrations
6 Volunteers Needed
The Memory Caregiver Academy of Austin (mcaaustin.org) is a new, small, nonprofit organization that has been generously supported by WHPC. This group provides training in dementia care to young people in low-income schools across Austin. Our organization is currently looking for some additional volunteers. We have recently added another training tool called, “Dementia Live”, which teaches students how it feels to have dementia. We are looking for about 6 new volunteers who would be willing to assist the trainers during Dementia Live demonstrations. This would take about 1 ½ hours of your time. It is certainly not necessary, but anyone who speaks Spanish would be extra helpful! If you have any questions, please call Debbie Wilder at 512-965-6262.
Mentor with YoungLives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Mentor a teen mom (women) or dad (men). The role of a mentor includes attending YoungLives events such as club and campaigners with you mentee, and finding time to hang out with them outside of these events. Your role is to be someone that they can feel loved and seen around. The most important thing that you can do in this role is show up! Once the parents know that you are there for them, the relationship will grow and you will be able to point them to Christ.
TIME REQUIRED
We ask YoungLives mentors to reserve Tuesday evenings from around 5:00-8:00pm. This time will be used for club, campaigners, mommy and me events, and leader meetings. You are also expected to spend time with your mentee outside of events if you are serving as a mentor.
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.
To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.
BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!
Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com
Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com
Committee Member with YoungLives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Support the ministry financially, along with supporting staff with the operations of the ministry. Committee members attend clubs when available, and a monthly committee meeting.
TIME REQUIRED
Two Tuesday evenings a month- one for club and one for committee meetings.
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.
To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.
BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!
Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com
Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com
Childcare with YoungLives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Childcare- Attend one YoungLives club a month to watch babies. Other opportunities may come up throughout the year. A YoungLives Coordinator will reach out to you if we need additional support from the childcare team.
TIME REQUIRED
Childcare- One Tuesday evening a month.
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.
To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.
BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!
Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com
Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com
Leader Support with YoungLives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Leader support- Check in with volunteer leaders. Many of our leaders are volunteers from UT and need support as they get through school, work, and ministry.
TIME REQUIRED
Check in with a leader at least once a month.
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.
To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.
BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!
Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com
Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com
Prayer Team with YoungLives
JOB DESCRIPTION
Prayer Team- Join us in praying for the ministry. You will be added to the weekly YoungLives prayer email sent out by one of our committee members.
TIME REQUIRED
Prayer team- Time to review weekly prayer emails.
LENGTH OF COMMITMENT
We ask YoungLives volunteers to commit to at least one school year.
TRAINING PROVIDED
Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year and as needed throughout the year. The training will be specific to the role that you decide to serve in.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS
When looking for YoungLives volunteers, we are seeking individuals who are willing to share their faith with young parents, who have time to spend with them, love them, and who can be consistent in their lives. Sometimes we are the only positive influence in these parent’s lives.
To be a YoungLives volunteer you will need to pass a background check.
BENEFITS TO THIS POSITION
Serving with Younglives will help you grow in your faith and lead many generations to faith through young moms, dads, children, and supportive family members. You will also grow strong relationships with the team that you serve with. We look forward to having you on our team!
Contact Information
Tamara Hartman- South/Central Austin (512)992-4382
tamara.hartman473@gmail.com
Caitlynn Lopez- East/North Austin (512)906-7026
caitmaceo@gmail.com
Volunteer at The Gathering - A Memory Loss Respite Program
Flexible hours any time between 9:30 am-1:30 pm on Wednesdays
Engaging in activities and socializing with those experiencing dementia while their caregivers get a break!
Learn more here. Email us at thegathering@whpc.org to arrange a visit. We can’t wait to meet you!
If you know a family who could benefit from this ministry, please pass along our email to the caregiver!
Tutor with Manos de Cristo
Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift per week for the entire semester (2 months for computers, 4 months for all other classes). Most new opportunities begin in January, May, and August of each year. Volunteer opportunities in the computer literacy program are available in March and October.
Meal Prep with Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our unhoused neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year. WHPC is responsible for make-ready on the first and second Sundays of every month.
The Meal Prep Team works together for an hour preparing the food that will be distributed off the delivery trucks. The commissary where the food prep takes place is just a mile from WHPC at St. John’s Newman Catholic Church. This is a great intergenerational opportunity to do alongside your kids!
Donate to Ukraine
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance response to the situation in Ukraine will include both financial and technical assistance as the network of faith communities providing humanitarian assistance grows in the months ahead.
Donate to Syria and Turkey
The scale of the disaster facing Syria and Turkey after the Feb. 6 earthquake is becoming clearer. The 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks have left more than 11,000 people dead and thousands more injured; these numbers will rise as search and rescue continues. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through long-standing partners in Syria, in addition to ACT Alliance members in Syria and Turkey, all of whom are already on the ground. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience.
Drive Seniors with Chariot
VOLUNTEER DRIVING IS EASY!
Minimum requirement is 1 drive per month (Most volunteers enjoy the experience and do more!)
Drivers select rides to fit their own schedules
Rides can be set up by phone or email
Family members of any age are encouraged to ride along
Deliver Food to Manos de Cristo
Manos De Christo receives some of their food for their pantry from the Central Texas Food Bank. We are looking for a volunteer who can pick up this food on the third Wednesday of the month and deliver it to Manos De Christo. This role requires the ability to lift heavy grocery items. This volunteer will have help loading and unloading the items at each location, but a second volunteer to ride along is recommended.
Serve Food From A Kitchen
The Foundation for the Homeless mobilizes community resources to prevent, end, and reduce the suffering of homelessness. Feed My People is the Foundation’s founding program, open to anyone experiencing homelessness and poverty, which provides a filling, hot breakfast along with other limited services which can include, basic medical screening, eyeglasses, and assistance with obtaining identification documentation for individuals and families.
Feed My People takes place at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca Street on Tuesday and Thursday (except Thanksgiving Day) from 5:15-7:00 am.
Sewing for Afghan Families
Our Afghan mothers are busy ladies. They have lots of children and many responsibilities. However, they have not been provided an opportunity to earn money to help support their families until now. WHPC is opening a way to include our women in helping with family finances by creating beautiful, unique crafts and sewing items to sell. If you have any skills in sewing or would just like to participate in this new adventure, please join us!
Truck Run with Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our unhoused neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year. WHPC is responsible for make-ready on the first and second Sundays of every month.
The Truck Run team takes the food that was prepared by the make-ready team and drives the meals to the unhoused all around Austin. This is a great opportunity to encounter the unhoused and bless them with food as well as your presence. This is also a great way to introduce your teenager to poverty and other social issues in Austin.
The truck runs start and end at St. John’s Newman Catholic Church, just a mile away from WHPC.
Tutor Afghan Families
Our seven Afghan refugee families need English tutoring. This is a fun, exciting way to get involved. Join a small team going into the homes of our Afghan families. You will come away excited about how our families are learning. Part of this adventure includes knowing the names and faces of these incredible children and adults. Be prepared to hear squeals of laughter from energetic children and adults as they see you approaching.
